About HEF Group HEF Group is an employee-owned global leader in material science, surface treatment and coating.
HEF develops and delivers advanced tribology solutions, from R&D through industrial production, including Tribology Testing, Nitriding, PVD/DLC Coatings, and Friction Components, for 70 years +. With close to 100 sites across 22 countries, HEF serves customers in automotive, aerospace, defense, medical, industrial, and mechanical markets. Learn more at hef-na.com or hef.group. Position Summary HEF is seeking an experienced Sales Manager – North America to lead regional sales growth for its Surface Treatments and Coatings division. This role will manage and develop a team of 10-15 sales professionals, strengthen key customer relationships, and generate new business for nitriding, PVD/DLC coatings, and related surface-engineering solutions. This position will report to the Regional Management and the Global Sales Director. The candidate is a technically credible B2B sales leader with a strong network in surface-engineering, coating, and the heat treatment industry. Key Responsibilities - Lead, mentor, and further develop a North American sales representative network.
- Drive revenue growth, sales forecasting and regional performance against objectives.
- Develop new customers and expand existing accounts.
- Build relationships with plant-level decision-makers and senior customer leadership.
- Lead visits, negotiations, RFQ and development, contract discussions, and closing activities.
- Partner with site management, production planners, internal sales teams and marketing to ensure profitable growth and customer satisfaction.
- Present sales results, market intelligence, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to regional and corporate management.
- Representing HEF at customer sites, trade shows, networking events and industry meetings.
- Maintain strong technical knowledge of HEF processes and customer applications to provide relevant technical and engineering support.
- Implement company sales strategies and organizational directives within the region.
Qualifications - Minimum 7 years of experience in technical sales management, business development, account management, or customer-facing commercial leadership within heat treatment, coatings, surface engineering, or a related industry.
- Demonstrated success in leading and developing sales professionals.
- Bachelor’s degree in Materials, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering, Business Administration, or Management preferred.
- Strong experience selling surface-engineering, PVD/DLC coating, nitriding, heat treatment, metal finishing, plating, or related technical solutions.
- Knowledge of material science and industrial markets; familiarity with automotive, aerospace, defense, medical, energy or mechanical applications is preferred.
- Proven ability to open new accounts, develop strategic customer relationships, negotiate contracts, and close complex technical sales.
- Excellent communication, presentation, influencing, and negotiation skills.
- Strong analytical, organizational, forecasting, and stakeholder-management capabilities.
- Proficiency with CRM, sales software, data analysis, and conferencing tools.
- Ability to travel extensively throughout North America; preferred base in Ohio or Maine.
Compensation & Benefits HEF is committed to providing a competitive and comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and long-term success. Benefits include: - Employee Ownership Opportunity: Eligible employees may have the opportunity to become a shareholder of HEF following one year of employment.
- Health Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
- 401(k) Retirement Plan: A retirement savings program designed to support employees in planning for their financial future.
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